Women in Agriculture

=>The government has allocated more than 30% funds for women under various major schemes, programs and development related activities in order to bring women in the agriculture mainstream.

Women participation:

=>The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare informed that about 18% of the agricultural households in India are led by women. In addition to agriculture, women have been making exceptional contribution in horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, beekeeping etc.

=>A research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted in nine states shows that the participation of women is 75% in the production of major crops, 79% in horticulture, 51% in post-harvest work and 95% in animal husbandry and fisheries.

Women sensitization module:

=>A National Gender Resource Centre in Agriculture, set up in the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, has developed a women sensitization module to bring about change in the mindset and behaviour of male program operators.

=>In 2017-18, DAC&FW’s MANAGE, EEI, SAMETI and other institutions have trained 5645 people through 222 programmes. Besides, more than 98.14 lakh women farmers have been trained so far under the ATMA scheme.

=>The special importance is being given to the role of women in achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. Keeping this in mind, the inter-ministerial committee formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Dalwai has written a separate chapter on the empowerment of women to double the income of farmers. These efforts will certainly prove to be effective in enhancing the participation of women in agriculture.

=>The Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar (Odisha), set up under the ICAR, has also been working in this direction.

Women in cooperatives:

=>The cooperative education programs of women are organized through State Cooperative Societies to ensure womens participation in various activities in the field of cooperatives.

=>Under the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), 38.78 lakh women have been trained in the last two years.

=>Similarly, 6.07 lakh and 7000 women have benefited through KVKs and skill training respectively. A total of 53.34 lakh women have benefited during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme:

=>The government’s revised ATMA scheme is providing support to the Food Security Groups of the farmers to ensure food security at the domestic and community levels.

=>Under this, the Women’s Food Security Groups are being given financial assistance at the rate of 2 groups / per block and at the rate of Rs 10,000 per group / per year.